THE OBSERVER. |
No. X.
To the American Planter! and Farmers
THL gentlemen who pollefs and cultivate the
foil, are in this country so numerous, and
hold so great proportion of property, that they
have right t6 a decided influence in the meal'ures
of government. In addressing you I speak to the
people, vvhofe will must ultimately determine the
system of national police. An enlightened plant
er is a friend to manufactures, by which his raw
materials are prepared for the use of man—he is
a friend to commerce, which converts the surplus
of his perishable produce into permanent wealth,
and mingles the growth ot every clime 011 the
board of hospitality: Still the agricultural now
is, and for a century to come must remain the pre
vailing interest both in riches and in inuence.
The war of independence was yours ) and there
fore became a war of blows too hard for the
common enemy—our present form of govern
ment was firft delineated by those who roll the
tongue and drive the quill ; it became a sacred
reality by the seal of your fuffrages : and the
measures of the treasury department must be
addrefled to your good understanding and sense
of national honor to render them fuccefsful.
Though rhe nature of jour employment is such
as precludes the opportunity of collecting infor
mation ; your judgment must fancftify, and your
firmnefs effectuate the public decrees. The e
vils relulting from a lofsof public creditmayaf
fecft others firft—on you they fall heaviest. Mer
chants, monied men and those who have great
property afloat, are on the watch—they havelei
fure to collect every information—acorrefpond
ence by every post and through half the world
advertises them of the evil, and their property
by some change in its situation is secured ; while
you without information and unsuspicious are en
snared. Every poflible imposition in public cre
dit will operate thus—either the price of your
produce will fall, or the articles you purchase
rife, or the deceitful medium center in your
hands. When the state of credit, In any couu
try, is such as excites a war of artifice between
its citizens, they must be eventual fufferers,
wliofe employment confines them in the field, at
a distance from the course of information. The
firft thing you ought to demand is a stable system
for the public debt, which may be done by plac
ing the whole of every description under one re -
fponfible board ; the next is a circulating medi
um of fixed value. To accomplish this lam sen
sible there must be some kind of direct taxation
by the United States, for it is not probable that
an impost and excise will equitably fund the
whole debt. Direct taxation is now practised
■with a heavy hand by the separate States, and why
ihould the exercise of this power by the general
government be more dangerous, when attended
■with such circumstances that afpart of the sum you
now pay will be fufficient ? If a change of system
will remove half the weight you have borne these
fifteen years, be not duped to lose the opportu
nity, by the artful fuggeltions of some men, who
expect to gain more by the old game, than by a
new one. The members of the general govern
ment are your representatives—your friends, and
the beings of your own creation—their existence
and popularity are in your hands, and they have
every motive to guard your interest ; more can
not be said of the State legislatures. Still fur
ther to remove all suspicions that the writer is
acting an infiduous part, I will compare your
prelent situation with what it might be made, by
an interposition of the general government.
Every State in the empire is heavily in debt—
in each State there are different modes of impo
ling and collecting taxes, hut in all, direct taxa
tion of some kind is in ul'e—in a few States arbi
trary afleflinent is customary, which may be set
down for the worst kind of iinpofition--in others e.
very kind of property fpecifically is charged at cer
tain rates affixed in the tax laws—in New-England
your houses and lands, your cattle of every de
scription, even your sons are taxed before their
labor can pay for their support, and your mecha
nics are arbitrarily aflefled for the labor of their
hands. The tax laws have been varied annually,
so that to understand the system of public de
mands is next to impoflible—thefe changes in the
tax laws, have opentd a succession of speculation
definitive and unintelligible to the unwary citi
zen—The general taxation of all your proper
ty imperceptibly advances the amountto a griev
ance.—ln Connecticut there are one hundred tax
gatherers, and in the other States a number pro
portioned to their extent.—The gentlemen qua
lified to do this duty, must be men of sagacity
and as such will not forget themselves, nor can
•we wilh theyfhould serve the public for nothing.
—An average emolument to themselves of less
than 200 dollars per annum, would not tempt
them to execute the duty—this emolument arises
from a public reward, mileage, forbearance mo
ney, with an opportunity of speculating among
the ignorant; anil tho it be not charged in the
tax bills is eventually paid by the people—l blame
not Uie collectors, their business requires industry
and watching, and is attended with risque, for
they must lose the taxes of those who abscond,
alter their warrants are received ; but I accufea
fyftemfo expenfiveto the people. One hundred
tax gatherers at two hundred dollars each amount
to twenty thousand dollars—this furn though not
charged in any account whatevei-, is annually
paid by the people of Connecticut—an enormous
burthen ! for the simple collection of taxes, and
all this, on a plan which you have often been told
is mighty cheap, and full of economy and liber
ty. Let us talk no more of the high salaries giv
en by the United States, when our own plan
bears so much harder on the people. The em
ploying too many men in any public business,
that it may be done at a cheap rate, always proves
a fpunge in the event. With the great sums you
have paid, and collected in this expensive man
ner ; with the general taxation of your whole
property, you have not obtained the reputation
of being just to your creditors. The evil still
remains, andmuft temain without a general re
form of system. Most of my remarks will ap
ply to all the States, and as this publication firft
appears in Connecticut, I have taken it as an m
(tance to exemplify the whole.—Let not these
truths excite faction—be calm—reverence go
vernment, and public justice, and you will be
remedied. Compare with this picture a system I
will propose—Let your State debt be afl'umedby
the United States.—ln addition to the import and
excise, give them a dire<t tax.—Let this tax be
imposed on the (ingle article of improved land.
Three cents per acre, which is twopence curren
cy of New-England very nearly, will be fuffiei
ent to ertablifh the faith and justice of your coun
try, and content the public creditors, if theyare
reasonable men.—Let this be paid in the money
of th« merchant, for if there be a depreciated
currency in circulation, you will eventually rue
the consequences.—Eight tax-gatherers will be
fufficient to collect an excise and land tax in Con
necticut, which now employs one hundred.
Make these men responsible ; give them the sala
ry of eight hundred dollars per ann. and fuffer
no kind of fee robe taken from the people, This
will make a saving of nearly fourteen thousand
dollars, in the article of collection, which is prin
cipally paid by the poorest citizens ; and for which
they have no credit in the public opinion. The
planter, pofTefling one hundred acres in fair cul
tivation, will have to pay annually sixteen (hillings
New-England currency, for the whole amount
of his taxes, and without any additional fee to
collectors ; and those who have less estate in pro
portion. Every wife planter would compound
with the public for thisfum—l believe it would
be fufficient ; and I appeal to the honest cultiva
tors of the earth, whether it be more than one
third of the sum they have beenufed to pay.
My next number (hall contain further remarks
on a land tax.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
ABSTRACT of JOURNAL of the first SESSION
of the SENATE of the UNITED STATES.
FRIDAY August 7.
T N the absence of the Vice President, proceeded to elect a Prefi-
X dent pro tempore, and the votes being colleaed and counted,
the Hon. John Langdon was unanimously appointed.
A message from the President of the United States, by General
Knox.—See Gazette of Augujf 12.
This message was ordered to lie for confider»tion.
Mr. Morris, 10 behalt of the committee on the bill, entitled
" An ast for allowing a compensation to the President and Vice
President of the United States," reported an amendment, to wit •
To expunge the provision made for the Vice President, " Five thou
sand dollars," and insert " Six thousand dollars."
On motion to reduce the provision for the President of the Unit
ed States from twenty-five thousand to twenty thousand dollars
Palied in the Negative. *
On motion to make the provision for the Vice President eight
thousand dollars instead of fii e thousand dollars—Patted in the
negative.
And on motion, the futher consideration" of this clause of the
bill was postponed.
health Grayf ° n rei l uefted leave of absence, for the recovery of his
The concurrence of the Senate, upon the resolve of the House
on the mode of enrolment, and the presentation of bills, &c. va»
carried to «he House of Representatives. Adjourned.
MONDAY, August jo.
Mr Strong, on behalf of the joint committee appointed the
sth of August, " To consider what business is necrlTdry to be acted
upon prior to an adjournment, and to report a proper time at
which an adjournment shall take place," reported ; and the report
was ordered to lie for consideration.
A message from the House of Representatives, with a bill, en
titled, " An ast for allowing compensation to the members of the
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to
the officers of both Houses," requesting the concurrence of the Se
nate therein.
The Senate proceeded to the second reading of a bill, entitled,
. T clearing of Aelfc-1., regulating the
coifting trade, and for other purpose."
Ordered, That it be committed to Mr. Morris, Mr. Dalton
Mr. Laogdon, Mr. Butler and Mr. King. Adjourned. '
1 U £ S D A Y, August u.
A message from the House of Representative*, with a resolve
of the House, of the 10th of August, providing,
« u di ; taed by Congress, in their aQ of June the
6th i; 88, be made and returned into the Treasury without de
lay." Adjourned.
FRIDAY, August 14.
The petition of Nathaniel Gorham, praying that a resolution of
the House of,Reprefentatives of the United States, providing
• 1 hat the above survey be made," might not pass the Senate in its'
p/efent form, for leafons set forth in the petition -
1 he resolve of the House of Representatives of the United States
of the 1 ith of August, referred to in the (aid petition,—and
The petition of Andrew Ellicot, on the fame lubWft. wer e fe
i::! l ;S,r oi,,lJm,ion ~f i;,c buf,ncfs **
Proeeeded to a second reading of the lull, entitled » A
providing for the expenfei which may attend nesou.it „L '8
ties with the Indi n tribes, and the appointment of Commiff' 1 "
crs foe managing the fame._ m °n.
Ordered, That the bill t>e committed ro Mr Few m.
woith, Mi. King, Mr. Lee and Mr. Butler. Adjourned
M O N D A Y, Angnft tj.^
The committee appointed to take into conlidcration thebilL
titled, " An a& providing for the expenfcs which may attend
g-.ciationsor treaties with the Indiintribcs.andtbcippoua
of commiiiionerj for managing the fame," reported that it be
" Resolved, That it be allowed and paid to a SuDeriatcnd
of Indian affairs in the Southern Department, that may be n
nated by the President, and appointed by, and with the adv.ee
consent of the Senate, the sum oi pet j ay
his expenfcs, for the time he may be employed in a'lteudnto®
treaty, proposed to be held by the Commi'dioners of the UnuM
States and the Creek Indian , at the Rock-Laudiug, in the Sate of
Georgia, on the 15th day of September next
A 7" a thC treaty ftxQuld fa.l irl lhe de r,red ob.
jett, of eltabblnuig peace between the citizens of the United Stat
and the Creek Indians, Congress will make such grants of montv
and pursue such other measures, as will be necessary fottheprottt
tion and fafety of the inhabitants of the southern frontiers a .j
best secure the peace of United States,"
And on motion to accept the report, it patted inthe negative
On motion, that it be 6
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requeued
to nominate a fit person for Superintendant of Indian affairs inthe
Southern Department, in order that he may be fentforward ailoon
as may be, to ast with the Commiflioners of Indian affairs inthe
Southern Department, appointed pursuant to a refolutionof Con
gress, paifed on the dav of and aid them in carrying into
effect a treaty that is proposed to be held with the Creek Nation
on the i s th day of September next, in the State of Georgia at thiJ
Rock-Landing.— * '
That the sum of dollars be delivered to the faidSu.
penntendant, to be appropriated for the immediate purpose ofthe
faii treaty, for which sum he (hall be accountable
That the President of the United States be-eequefted to inftruft
the said Superintendant and Commiirioners, to hear and fully i U .
veftigate all the complaints and grievances, of the said Creek In
dians, and to use all the means in their power to quiet their minds
and do them ample justice, agreeably to the aforefaid refolutionof
Congress, and inilru&iam heretofore given for that purpose: That
if the said Indians (hould prove rcfraftory, orrefufeto treat and
establish peace oujuft and reasonable terms, then and in that cafe
the said Superintendant and Commillioners be dire&ed to make
immediate report thereofto the President of the United States, and
Congress will make such grants of money and pursue such other
measures, as will be necessary for the fafety and prote&ionof the
inhabitants of the Southern frontiers, and best secure the peace of
the United States,"—lt pafled iu the negative.
On motion, that it be
Resolved, That the President of the Uuited States be author,
ifed and empowered, and he is eereby authorised and empower
ed, (hould the Creek Indians decline to make peace with the State
of Georgia, to take effectual measures for covering the Srate of
Georgia from the incursions of the Indians, either by ordering foiae
of the troops now at Fort Harmar to march to the frontiers of
Georgia, or by embodying such a number of the militia as he fliall
think fufficient to insure to the citiiens of Georgia protection, and
the cultivation of their lands in peace and security, and that he be
empowered to draw on the Treasury for defraying the expenfei
of the fame"—And on motion for the previous question, to wit:
44 Shall the main question be now put ?" it pafled in the negative.
Adjourned.
ADVERTISEMENT.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE OHIO COMPANY.
\ X /'NEREAS, in the opinion of the Agents, it is very much
VV for the interest of the proprietors at large, that all the
lands of the purchase (hould be divided and allotted as immedi
ately as may be—And in order to accommodate them generally
by the option of claflingas they may think proper, and drawing
their rights or (hares (where they may poflefs more than ose)
either together in contiguity, or by detaching and annexing them
to diftinft claffesor divisions (at their own ele&ion) to give them
the greater chance for variety in foil and fituation—Jtisunani
moufly refolved,That as foonas the exploring committee /hallhave
appropriated the lands for donation fettlemenU,in quantity fufici
ent for all the proprietors,Wi nthrop Sarcent,JosephGili-
man, and Rrtur n J. Meigs, Esquires, who are hereby appoint
ed a committee for that purpose,(hall immediately make out,upon
a large fcale,a complete map or plan of the whole purchase from the
bed information,which they may be then able to obtain,exprefling
all the lands of the eight acre, three acre, city lots and common*,
one hundred and sixty acre, and donation lots, the referred lots
of Congress, school lots, and lots appropriated for religions pur
poses—also, the two townships given by CongTefs for an univer/i
---ty,and the towns or situations for towns to be reserved bythecora*
panv for a future allotment.—That, all the residuary lands Hull
be, by them, the said committee of three, divided andnumbtrtd
upon paper, into forty equal grand divisions of twenty-five ftiarcs
each, as like in quality as may be: That each grand divifien be
divided into five sub-divisions of five shares each, and eachfub
divifion into fe£lions of single (hares :—That as soon as the map
or plan is completed, the agents will form or class their fubferib
ers (who (hall not previously class themselves) by fe&ions or single
(hares, into sub-divisions of five, and grand divisions of twenty
five, and immediately proceed to drawing V>y lot for said lands;
by grand divisions, sub-divisions and feftions : That in ail
draughts of sub-divisions (into fe&ions) which may be madeup ot
proprietors,holding four,three, or two and single (hares,it (hallbe
the usage for the greatest proprietor, or holder of the greatest
number of shares, to take his lands in contiguity, by lot, either m
the southern or northern part of the sub-division, where they (hall
be numbered from north to south, and in the western or eastern
(by lot also) where they may be numbered from weft toeaft; aoa
where sub-divisions may be made up of two proprietors of two
(hares each, and one of one share, the two greatest proprie
tors (hall receive their feftions, by lot, either inthe fouthernor
western part of the sub-division. ReJolved> That the before na
med committee, be directed to prepare the names and numbers,
and make all the neceffarjr arrangements forth# intended draught:
That previous to the drawing for this ultima** grand division <>'
lands, there fhallbe returns of the proprietors, as they may"be
claflfed by the agents (or other wife) lodged in the Secretary's omcc»
and it is recommended in all cases to consult the inclinations and
interefUof the proprietors in the order of clafling.
Resolved, That the agents will give public notice of the rime an
place of drawing, and that there be two perfonsno ways mtereit
ed in the draughts, who shall be sworn to the faithfully raN^ n .?.
out the names and numbers from the boxes, and who alone (ha
be employed in this business for the draught of grand aivifions,
sub-divisions, and fe&ions.
Resolved, That the Secretary cause the foregoing resolutions to
be publilhed in the newspapers of New-York, and the
England States ; to the end that the proprietors at large may
the option of clailing themselves as they may think proper • n
they are hereby requested so to do, and to express theme
upon thisJubjetl r either to their refpe&ive agents, or by inform
tion in writing addrefled to, and to be lodged with the
at his office in the city of Marietta,previous to the firftMon a ) ~
March, 1790 —Upon which day it is expe&ed the J?
take place. W I N T H R O P S A R G E NT,
Secretary to the Ohio
Marietta. 3d November, 1789.